Kukla's Korner Hockey

Eleven years after taking part in Canada's Olympic gold medal-winning celebration in Salt Lake City, Wayne Fleming lies in his southwest Calgary home clinging to life.

But he's far from battling alone.

Considered the glue that brought Canada's four-man coaching staff together for Canada's first hockey gold in 50 years, Fleming is buoyed by support from a hockey community that continues to surround the long-time coach almost two years after brain surgery.

The power of that support was evident earlier this month when more than a dozen members of his immediate and hockey family gathered at his house for an emotional ceremony inducting him into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame. The private commemoration was held eight months before the annual induction is scheduled to be held in Winnipeg.

Under palliative care and confined to his bed since June, the 62-year-old Snowflake, Man., native was largely unresponsive during the gathering until heartfelt words from a Hall official prompted Fleming's eyes to open.